Sensor device for measuring a physical parameter

• US 4,427,881 A
• Filed: 03/09/1981
• Issued: 01/24/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Corp. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Corp. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Ruell, Hartwig
• Primary Examiner(s): McGraw, Vincent P.
• Application Number:
  US06/241,632
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 356/43, 356/44, 374/205, 250/231 R, 250/231 P, 250/227, 350/96.2, 350/96.18
• US Class Current: 250/227.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/268 using optical fibres G01D5/28 - G01D5/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/68 Shape of the system
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 5/70 specially adapted for indicating or recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/242 the material being an optical fibre

Abstract

A sensor for measuring a physical parameter at a first location which is remote from a second location. The sensor has a plurality of light transmitting fibers each having an input end for receiving light from a source and an output end for emitting the received light to a light detector and a lens for focusing light from the source on one of the input ends of the light transmitting fibers. The lens is displaced to project light to a specific one of the input ends of the fibers in accordance with the value of the physical parameter to be measured.

Claims

1. A sensor device for measuring a physical parameter, said device comprising in combination:

(a) a source of light

(b) a plurality of light-transmitting fibers each having an input end for receiving light and an output end for emitting the light received at said input end and conducted through said fiber;

(c) a plurality of light detectors, each respectively associated with one of said output ends of said light-transmitting fibers, for receiving light therefrom and indicating the value of said physical parameter;

(d) lens means for receiving light from said source and for focusing said light on one of said input ends of said light-transmitting fibers;

(e) means for displacing said lens means with respect to said input ends of said light-transmitting fibers in dependence upon said physical parameter, said lens means projecting said light to a specific one of said input ends of said fibers in accordance with the value of said physical parameter.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein said lens means is displaceable approximately perpendicularly with respect to the axes of said input ends of said light-transmitting fibers.

3. The sensor device according to claim 2, wherein said axes of said input ends of said secondary light-transmitting fibers are arranged in parallel to each other.

4. The sensor device according the claim 1, wherein said light source includes at least one light-transmitting fiber having an input end and an output end, and means for illuminating said input end, whereby said lens means receives light from said output end.